If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that strikes the perfect balance between dreamy softness and rich flavor, these Easy Cream Cheese Cookies are about to become your new obsession. With only a handful of ingredients yet a melt-in-your-mouth texture, this recipe delivers bakery-style treats in less than 30 minutes. Whether you love your cookies adorned with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or simply served as-is, these gems charm everyone with their creamy interiors and buttery undertones. Trust me, this is the recipe friends and family will ask for whenever you show up with a plate of cookies!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about how wonderfully simple, yet crucial, every ingredient is in making Easy Cream Cheese Cookies shine. Each component brings its own magic, whether it’s creaminess, fluffiness, or just the right hint of sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Lends a rich, buttery base and ensures these cookies stay irresistibly tender.
- Cream cheese (4 ounces, softened): The game-changer for cloud-like texture and a hint of tang that makes these cookies special.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds perfect sweetness and helps give the cookies a pleasant chew.
- Egg (1 large): Binds everything together and adds moisture for that classic cookie crumb.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavors with its warm and inviting aroma.
- All-purpose flour (1 ¾ cups): Provides structure, for just the right balance of softness and stability.
- Baking powder (½ teaspoon): The secret to that irresistible pillowy lift.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors, ensuring the cookies aren’t overly sweet.
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting): For a gorgeous, melt-away finish on top—totally optional, but highly recommended!
How to Make Easy Cream Cheese Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese
Start by beating your softened butter and cream cheese together in a large mixing bowl. You’ll want to continue beating until the mixture is ultra smooth, creamy, and just a bit fluffy—this is what gives Easy Cream Cheese Cookies their signature soft texture from the very first bite.
Step 2: Add the Sugar, Egg, and Vanilla
Next, add in your granulated sugar and beat until everything is light and fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, making sure everything is fully combined for an evenly flavored dough with that classic homemade cookie aroma.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients Separately
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This little step keeps your leavening and seasoning nicely distributed, ensuring every cookie bakes up perfectly and tastes amazing in each bite.
Step 4: Bring the Dough Together
With the mixer on low, gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until you no longer see streaks of flour—overmixing can make cookies tough, and we’re all about fluffiness here!
Step 5: Shape and Flatten the Cookies
Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, drop dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about two inches apart. Gently flatten each mound just a bit with your fingers or the bottom of a glass—this helps them spread into that classic, soft-centered cookie shape.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake in a 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for cookies that are set at the edges and slightly puffed in the center, with no browning. Let them cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Dust with powdered sugar if desired for extra flair and a hint of sweetness.
How to Serve Easy Cream Cheese Cookies
Garnishes
The classic finish for Easy Cream Cheese Cookies is a generous dusting of powdered sugar, which gives them a pretty, wintry look and a light, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness. For a zesty kick, try a bit of finely grated lemon zest sprinkled on top, or even a drizzle of white chocolate for an elegant touch. Each little twist is a way to put your own spin on a classic favorite.
Side Dishes
Pairing these cookies is all about complementing their delicate flavor. Serve them with fresh berries, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a fruit compote to add bright, juicy notes. And there’s nothing quite as cozy as enjoying Easy Cream Cheese Cookies alongside a mug of cocoa, coffee, or chai for the ultimate sweet snack or dessert moment.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, stack Easy Cream Cheese Cookies on a tiered cake stand or arrange them in a patterned circle on a large platter with colorful fruit in the center. Around the holidays, fill treat bags or festive tins with these cookies—they make the sweetest edible gifts! You can even turn them into sandwich cookies with a smear of raspberry jam in the middle.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Easy Cream Cheese Cookies ultra soft and fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for up to five days—though they tend to disappear much sooner! Add a slice of bread to the container if you want to lock in even more moisture.
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze these cookies, you have two options: bake the cookies and freeze them once cooled, or freeze the unbaked dough balls for fresh cookies on demand. For baked cookies, layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll keep for up to three months. For dough, flash-freeze the scooped rounds, then transfer to a freezer bag for easy baking later—just add a minute or two to the bake time.
Reheating
Want that just-baked warmth again? Pop a cookie or two in the microwave for five to ten seconds to soften and gently warm them. If reheating from frozen, let the cookies thaw at room temperature, then refresh them in a 300°F oven for three to four minutes for that “fresh-from-the-oven” feel.
FAQs
Can I add chocolate chips or other mix-ins to Easy Cream Cheese Cookies?
Absolutely! Mini chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, dried cranberries, or even chunks of toffee all make delicious additions. Just fold in about half a cup to the finished dough before baking for a fun flavor twist.
Why are my cookies turning out flat?
If your Easy Cream Cheese Cookies are spreading too much, check that your butter and cream cheese weren’t overly soft or melted. Also, be careful not to overbeat the dough after adding the flour—overmixing can cause cookies to spread.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the cookie dough can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature before scooping so it’s easy to work with, and you’ll get consistent, soft results every time.
Are Easy Cream Cheese Cookies gluten-free?
As written, this recipe does contain gluten because of the all-purpose flour. For a gluten-free version, you can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend—just be sure it contains xanthan gum for the best texture.
What makes Easy Cream Cheese Cookies so soft?
The secret is the cream cheese! It keeps the cookies super tender and adds a dreamy softness you won’t find in typical butter-only cookies. Combined with a gentle hand when mixing, you’ll be amazed at the pillowy bite every time.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Cream Cheese Cookies have become my never-fail crowd-pleaser, and I’m genuinely thrilled to share them with you. If you love cookies with soft centers, gentle sweetness, and a unique creamy twist, there’s no way you won’t fall in love with this recipe. Give them a try—you might just discover your new signature cookie!
Print
Easy Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Cream Cheese Cookies are soft, pillowy treats with a buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are simple to make and delightful to enjoy.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional for Dusting:
- powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until light and creamy. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Shape and Bake: Drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly with fingertips or a glass. Bake for 10–12 minutes until set. Cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- Add lemon zest, almond extract, or mini chocolate chips for flavor variations.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
